US Patent 12128589 Constant cross section mandrel for CMC components

A mandrel for a molding process includes a first portion and a second portion that form a mandrel having a channel between the first and second portions. At least one locking pin is configured to urge the first and second portions away from each other to establish a gap in response to inserting the locking pin into the channel along a respective end of the mandrel. A molding apparatus and method of forming a matrix composite component are also disclosed.